Antarctica 2017-18: Beautiful Victoria Land...

If I am not a fan of the life on station at McMurdo, I have to say, the surroundings are quite amazing. Probably one of the most amazing place on Earth. It is raw, harsh, beautiful, diverse... And everything is changing all the time...

Mount Lister (4,025m) and the Royal Society Range.

Mount Discovery (2,681m) a dormant stratovolcano...

Mount Discovery covered with clouds.

The Royal Society Range with a storm rolling from the South.

Antarctica 2017-18: First 2 weeks in McMurdo Station.

It's been 2 weeks I arrived on the last continent. As usual, when you reach McMurdo Station, time comes to a stop. Nothing much happens!

I spent a week going from one training session to another. How to pitch a tent, how to not forget about putting warm clothes on, how to turn on a car, etc.

My friend Guy from Fairbanks, AK proud to light the stove on his own!

Gamow bag for altitude sickness.

Finally, I made it to the field last Saturday! I went with 2 scientists from Boulder (CU and NCAR). We installed 2 power systems on the nearby ice shelf. Beautiful weather and incredible views of Mt Erebus and the Royal Society Range. Eventually we ere asked to evacuate the premises because of the big storm coming down from the South...

Power System for snow accumulation gauge (CU/ATOC & NCAR Project).

Mount Erebus (3,794m).

Royal Society Range.

Mount Lister (4,025m) highest peak in the Royal Society Range.

Antarctica 2017-18: Christchurch to McMurdo

After a year off the ice, due to ligaments massive failure while skiing in Chile last year, I am back in McMurdo Station. 

Not sure I am ready for those 3 months on this beautiful continent, but the magic still works!

So far the trip has been pretty good. I left Denver on November 2nd for a few hours in San Francisco where I was able to meet with friends for dinner. I then met with my friend Guy, a Belgian engineer who lives in Fairbanks, AK, also on his way South. 
We arrived in Christchurch early afternoon on November 4th. 
On November 5th, the ritual trip to the Clothing Distribution Center was made. I picked up some clothing items (somewhat useless) for the Great South. I repacked my bag and had a last good dinner before the not so amazing food of McMurdo!

November 6th... 0530 wake up for a 0930 take off. We made if without issues to McMurdo, on board the C17 Globemaster. 

More later (after the numerous training sessions...)!

The trip from Denver, Colorado to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Waiting on the bus to get on the Boeing C17 Globemaster in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Above the sea ice, approaching McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Sea ice breaking up.

Safely arrived at the new Phoenix runway on the Ross Ice Shelf. Victoria Land, Antarctica.

South Georgia article on GEO.fr!

A series of images published on the French Magazine GEO (online) of the South Georgia trip.

>>> Mission polaire en Géorgie du Sud <<<

On board the NBP / A bord du NBP

If you have questions, etc. email me: nick.bayou.guest@nbp.usap.gov

I will try to do my best to answer. Emails are sent and received whenever the satellite is being seen... It's not like at home! 

To follow the ship: Follow the Nathaniel B. Palmer

Punta Arenas, Chile

After a few months of being home, I am off again for some Antarctica work. I am in Punta Arenas, Chile, on the shores of the Strait of Magellan, getting ready to sail for South Georgia, in the middle of the South Atlantic. 5 weeks at sea on the ice breaker Nathaniel B. Palmer.

Quite exciting...!

Après quelques mois passés à la “maison”, je suis à nouveau sur le départ pour les îles de Géorgie du Sud ! Sur les rives du détroit de Magellan, à Punta Arénas au Chili, les derniers préparatifs pour cette mission scientifique se terminent. A venir, 5 semaines sur le brise-glace Nathaniel B. Palmer…

Above Patagonia Ice Fields, Fitz Roy above the clouds / Les glaciers de Patagonie, avec le Fitz Roy pointant au-dessus des nuages.

Ice breaker Nathaniel B. Palmer / Brise Glace Nathaniel B. Palmer

On the bridge / Sur la passerelle

From the bridge, looking at Punta Arenas, Chile / Depuis la passerelle, vue sur Punta Arenas, Chili

Photos in the French Magazine GEO

The French Magazine GEO honored me by asking me to put together a series of photos to illustrate my experience in Antarctica (in French).

>>> Antarctique, le continent de glace (GEO) <<<